Intervention details

Switch-on

Intervention description

Switch-on is a one-to-one literacy intervention for struggling readers from KS1 to KS3. The intervention lasts for 10 weeks and is delivered daily in 20-minute sessions. It is made up of alternate reading and writing sessions and based on detailed observation with strategy-based feedback.

The purpose of the intervention is to achieve functional literacy for as many pupils as possible, and so to close the reading achievement gap for vulnerable children working below age-expected levels.

A Switch-on Network is available and provides ongoing support for those who deliver the Switch-on interventions.

Staffing requirements

Led by trained teaching and support assistants.

Professional development/training

Whole school training and support is offered and is delivered by a network of national trainers.

Evidence Summary

The Education Endowment Foundation ran a project investigating the effectiveness of Switch-on, which found that it appears to be effective for weak and disadvantaged readers at the stage of transition to secondary school.

The studies found a mean effect size of 0.00 for primary reading and +0.24 for secondary reading.

Moderatefor Secondary reading

No. of studies1

No. of students308

Average effect size+0.24

No impactfor Primary reading

No. of studies1

No. of students902

Average effect size+0.00

Key research

The evaluation found that for the intervention to have the largest possible effect it was important for staff to have training and to adhere to the protocol devised by the developers.